It’s time for more author spotlight goodness and today that comes courtesy of the amazing Saxon James. We talked flexible writing routines, writing books in primary school and why friends to lovers is her go to favourite trope!
Over to you Saxon…
First things first, please introduce yourself!
Hey, I’m Saxon James, an author from Aus who’s obsessed with writing queer characters. I have a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love. I’ve been publishing since Sep 2019, and made the switch to romance in Jan 2020, but I’ve been writing basically my entire life.
Tell us a little bit about your writing style.
I’m pretty flexible with routine, purely because with three kiddos, every time I think I’ve got a rhythm sorted out, they laugh and laaaaugh. For each of my books though, I usually have a rough idea of the series and tropes for each book, then I do a rough chapter by chapter framework for the book. Which of course changes approximately seventy-billion times until the characters get what they want.
Describe your books in only three words.
Sweet, fun, and sexy.
What’s your next book about and when is it coming out?
My next release comes out on May 24th and is the third book in my Never Just Friends series. This one is about a total teddy bear, and his awkward and clumsy apprentice. There’s second hand embarrassment, a big size difference, and lots of fun banter.
Out of all your books, which one are you most proud of?
In Case You Missed It which is one of my YA titles. Cystic Fibrosis runs in my family so I wanted to give that representation. It’s easily the most emotional book I’ve written yet.
What or who (or both) has influenced you most as a writer?
All the authors I interact with are amazing and inspiring. There isn’t one person who’s influenced me, but snippets from everyone I meet. Seeing people enjoy writing and achieving their goals, motivates me to do the same.
What inspired you to start writing?
There wasn’t really an inspiration point, it’s just always something I’ve done. I remember bringing ‘books’ home from primary school that I’d written and my mum had to pretend to be impressed by. Since then, characters keep filling my head and demanding their stories get told.
What’s your writing process like? Do you have a typical “writing day”?
With three kiddies there’s not really a typical day. My methods are to cram as much work into whatever free time I currently have.
What comes first for you – the plot or the characters?
Always the characters. They’re the ones who drive the story so without them it would just be a mess of words.
What’s a book that you wish you’d written?
Red, White and Royal Blue
If you could only write one trope for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
Friends to lovers (hence my series haha). I love showing the relationship before they get involved. It adds that extra level of sweetness and connection.
What would be your three desert island books?
Deke by Eden Finley, Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston, and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.
If one of your books could be made into a movie/TV series, which would you choose and who would you cast?
Face Offs & Cheap Shots. The competitiveness of the two MCs is one of my favourite things, but I have no idea who I’d cast. Is there anyone cocky enough out there to play Beck?
What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Do you have a secret passion or hobby that we don’t know about?
My life is literally family, writing and reading, when I’m not at the day job. I’d say it’s because I’m a boring person, but I kinda like it haha.
Finally, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
Mosasaurus. They’re badass.
SAXON JAMES is an author from Aus who’s obsessed with writing queer characters. She has a range of books from YA to adult and they all have one thing in common: swoony, sweet love.
When not writing, Saxon exists on a diet of coffee and chocolate while putting her KU subscription to the test.
For more information on Saxon and her latest releases you can follow her on Facebook, Bookbub, Amazon, Instagram, sign up for her newsletter, and join her Facebook group, Saxon’s Sweethearts, for more news and updates.
